Paul Maurice resigns as Jets coach, Dave Lowry taking over as interim

Paul Maurice has resigned as head coach of the Winnipeg Jets, the team announced Friday.

Assistant coach Dave Lowry will take over duties on an interim basis. Winnipeg is 13-10-5 this season.

Maurice told reporters Friday morning it was his decision to step down.

"This is a good team, I'm a good coach ... But sometimes you can only push so far," Maurice said, per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. "Sometimes a team needs a new voice. They haven't quit on me but need a different voice. It's the right time for it, and I know that."

"I love these guys. I love this place. I know that it's time, and that's a good thing for the Jets. It's also a really, really good thing for me," Maurice added, according to NHL.com's Nick Cotsonika.

Maurice signed a three-year extension in 2020 worth $3 million per season, according to CapFriendly.

The 54-year-old took over as Jets head coach in 2014. He's overseen 600 games for the franchise, accumulating a 315-223-62 record and five postseason appearances.

Maurice ranks sixth in NHL history with 775 victories. He broke into the league with the Hartford Whalers in 1995 and stuck with the franchise when they became the Carolina Hurricanes, until 2003-04. Maurice then spent two seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs and had a second stint with Carolina before landing with the Jets.